As a study abroad student it is impossible for taxis to not be a large part of stay here.  Without a car and with the buses being a little too confusing and chaotic, I have had to use taxis for wherever I need to go; however, I am glad of this fact.  Unlike in major American cities, the taxi fares in Amman are very good as a twenty minute ride is about $1.50.  Additionally, the taxi drivers are usually very nice people.  Only two or three out of the 100 or so that I have used since being here have been skeezy in terms of either taking me on a very roundabout route or overcharging me.

Additionally, riding in taxis has enabled to practice my Arabic much more frequently as the drivers always engage in conversation with me as they always think that I am Arab initially.  I can now explain, quite well in Arabic, how I have liked my Jordanian study abroad experience.  This was certainly a slow process as in September I could only state to the drivers where I wanted to go and tell them right, left, straight, and here; however, now I can have actual conversations with the drivers for the entirety of the drive – even when they last for twenty or thirty minutes.  This fact even got me a free ride as one taxi driver would not even take my money on account of his being so impressed by my ability to speak the language.

Riding in taxis rather than buses also connects you with the city more as you are on the same level of the other automobiles on the road (save the Range Rovers, pick-up-trucks, and buses).  The only big piece of advice I would give for those riding in taxis in Amman though is keep your hands and elbows in the car!  It’s fine to roll down the window on a hot day, but Jordanian drivers frequently choose to ignore the lane markings on the road and often drive quite closely together.  Either way though, taxis are certainly an aspect of Jordan that have added to the enjoyment and productiveness of my study abroad experience.